Lectures on the Religion of the Semites (First Series)

by William Robertson Smith

Publisher:

A & C Black

, 1894

Overview

The outstanding nineteenth-century biblical scholar and Semitist William Robertson Smith gave three courses of Burnett Lectures on the Religion of the Semites at Aberdeen just over a century ago. This first series, published in 1889 (2nd edition, 1894), has long been a classic work and considered a foundational text in the comparative study of religion. The lectures, which constitute a work of considerable Semitic and Classical learning, view the primitive religions of the Semetic peoples in relation to other ancient religions, and to the spiritual religions of the Old Testament and of Christianity.

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Key Features

• Eleven distinguished lectures
• Illuminating introduction by William Robertson Smith
• General index
• Index of passages of scripture

Contents

• Introduction: The Subject and the Method of Inquiry
• The Nature of the Religious Community, and the Relation of the Gods to Their Worshippers
• The Relation of the Gods to Natural Things—Holy Places—The Jinn
• Holy Places in Their Relation to Man
• Sanctuaries, Natural and Artificial—Holy Waters, Trees, Caves, and Stones
• Sacrifice—Preliminary Survey
• First-Fruits, Tithes, and Sacrificial Meals
• The Original Signifigance of Animal Sacrifice
• The Sacramental Efficacy of Animal Sacrifice, and Cognate Acts of Ritual—The Blood Covenant—Blood and Hair Offerings
• The Development of Sacrificial Ritual—Fire-sacrifices and Piacula
• Sacrificial Gifts and Piacular Sacrifices—The Special Ideas involved in the Latter

Top Highlights

“the doctrine of substitution of animal life for that of man” (Page 366)

“In the same measure as the god of a clan or town had indisputable claim to the reverence and service of the community to which he belonged, he was necessarily an enemy to their enemies and a stranger to those to whom they were strangers.” (Page 35)

“the development of a gloomier type of worship under the pressure of accumulated political disasters.” (Page 258)

“In a religion of this kind there is no room for an abiding sense of sin and unworthiness, or for acts of worship that express the struggle after an unattained righteousness, the longing for uncertain forgiveness. It is only when the old religions begin to break down that these feelings come in.” (Page 256)

“in Israel, Hannah, with her sad face and silent petition, was a strange figure at the sanctuary of Shiloh” (Page 259)

Praise for the Print Edition

This is a most interesting and valuable book. When Professor Robertson Smith's series of lectures are concluded, they will form the standard work upon their subject.

—The Jewish Quarterly Review

. . . known to scholars as a bold and vigorous thinker, [Robertson Smith] was well equipped for the task of delivering a series of lectures on the Semitic religions, and it is evident that he has applied all his skill and resources to the development of his highly interesting theme.

—The Methodist Review

It is no exaggeration to say that this book is of great value as well as of deep interest to the Biblical student.

—The Reformed Quarterly Review

Product Details

• Title: Lectures on the Religion of the Semites (First Series)
• Author: William Robertson Smith
• Publisher: Adam and Charles Black
• Publication Date: 1894
• Pages: 507

About William Robertson Smith

William Robertson Smith (1846–1894) was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland and attended Aberdeen University and New College, Edinburgh. Professor of Arabic at the University of Cambridge, Smith also authored The Old Testament in the Jewish Church, The Prophets of Israel, as well as important articles for the Encyclopedia Britannica, where he later served as an editor.